FULL MOON SONATA

Recounting the night yields

an unfruitful search :

the L.train.cello Youtube provides.

is not the one I'm searching for.

But link to link to link :

submerged :

I drown happily in the subway's souls.

Their melodies move through me :

fill me :

c o n s u m e m e .

.tAken.

One more cup of coffee - then I'll go.

.release.

I have to leave.

Get to my door : unlock : throw wide

&greet that funky beat.

Everyday at two o'clock - 2R starts to play :

a twanging guItar riff

- record -

.then.diddle.add the synth.

Now.play a little diddle.just a little melody to tide it over to the

drOp.

Beat.

Everyday I get a concert in my hall :

a boogiewoogie on my stairs :

a shuffle gRaPe vinE as I round from flight

to

flight.

I try not to dawdle long :

don't want to seem a creep

but I've got to swing&swivel

to this man's funky beat :

it knows how my body wants to move .

fills the spaces I forget to have .

wiggles the limbs I forget to use.

I am not seduced . only to d A n c e .

I've overstayed my welcome on his floor.

twirl ArOUnd the bend.flourish.

.descend.

.out the open door.

boots.and.cats. and boots.and.cats. and

- JOURNEY TO THE (L) TRAIN -

retrace same steps as every yesterday.

At Wyckoff, FEET turn me

left

instead of

right

.take me for a rIde.

Two faraway figures turn the distant corner and approach.

One long baggy white.and.black shape lopes along a shapely black one.

Shapely black in black sunhat :

gold wire.frame shades :

pursed mAroon lips :

black cropped tee :

high waisted mini skirt

walks tense and dominating.

- no.way.

A moment before the slinking shape completely fORms,

I knOw :

.Cello.Man.

Tall - gawky - slightly odd

Saggy white t.shirt cut to tank

Slouchy black sweats pool in a puddle

at black sandalled feet.

Patchy facial hair.

Rounded beak -

slender cavernous nostrils.

A mass of long brown hair flows behind - greasier than yesterday.

Beautiful caramel eyes -

serious and piercing beneath pinched.furrowed brows -

beacon his inner light.

.he slumps.slouches.

.arms curl

rOUnd boNy chest

holding

- close -

his absent mUse.

I watch him pass -

.gender relations.

- without a word.

Instant regret.

I smile wide a goofy grin

the entire ride to Lorimer.

It's comforting to know

we share a home off Jefferson.

Transfer from the L - now - to the G.

Dart round poles.people entering/leaving as I head towards.down the stairs.

Try to meet each

eye

of oncoming traffic and

smile.

Ah, humanity . . .

Small tunnel reminds of Big Brother's watchful eye.turn ascend the farther stair.

HISTORY

YOUR STORY

Pass a dreaded goddess painting roses for

the NEWSSTAND.

FATE

FAITH

Descend the stairs :

Church Avenue bound.

SANE

SAME

My heart leAps --

my ear catches

a lilting song drifting along the platform.

Pulled forward.

hips.knees.

floating on tiptoes.

approach the baseball hatted.

baggy cargo pantsed crooner.

.dammit.

don't have

any cash.

Slowly now as I get closer -

mother of pearl

rosette rings round

sound hole

strong.long fingers

bump&smack

smooth body

.linger along thin neck.

fret.to.fret

.neeYou.

slide back

to drum&slap.

.gadamn.

.you are

so beautiful.

I smile.shy.

- nod -

walk past

- don't want to loiter.be too gawkward - make it past another pillar when

his sOng -

full :

hOnest :

Open

hits a raspy.raw

.pOWerful nOte.

(pivot)

At least.I'll be an audience.

Return to stand and peer around

the chipped green pole.

I wish I had

something

to give to

you.

I fumble in my fanny pack.

extract PostIt pad and pen.

His music is too beautiful

to be

broken up

to write.

but I want to leave him something so

I fight through shimmering resistance.

.focus for a moment :

I O U

Thank you for your song.

His voice tugs my heart.lifts my gaze.

I watch his face smile.crinkle.crease -

release his blessed sound.

Your lines of effort

will one day laugh.

There's a rumble down the track.

zip!

Quick close fanny pack.embarrassed.

toss PostIt into open case.

Thank you!

.wide.warm smile-leans in.pull close.for a hug.

Blushing rosy.pink

- retreat -

.sidle toward arriving train.

Wait!

He fumbles deep in cargo pocket.

extracts his BUSINESS CARD.

I tuck card into palm and hurry through the closing doors.

bing

bong

He smiles.wide.waves as the train.slow.

leaves the station.

I read his name

- smile.gasp.nod -

.black asian.

Fanning.Feigning -

Heart,

be still!

.but actually.

-

- HOURS LATER -

home&taking out the trash.

straighten up to

meet green eyes.

of a passing man.

sidewalk nod&smile.

.holy crap.

He turns.goes up the steps

to our apartment building.

Suddenly nervous.

feet take me up the stoop

to stand outside closed door.

He turns from his mailbox.

- smiles -

pulls open the front door.

Hey.

(breathless)

Hi.

I --

You're 2R, right?

(nod of confirmation)

Oh man.

I love your music.

I dance in the hallway

whenever you play.

(flattered)

Really?

Thanks!

Hey --

(fumbles for his phone)

why don't I take

your number --

and then I can hit

you up next time

I'm performing?

That would be great!

Do people dance

at your shows?

(looking up)

Oh yea!

Absolutely --

(handing over phone)

- picture of a girl -

Oh.whoops.

That's my girlfriend.

.unnecessary.obvious.

(flicking through.new screen)

Here you go -

Just as the phone is firmly in my hand.

up the steps comes Girlfriend

AND her Mother.

.blushing.redhanded.

Both women.huff&puff.frazzled

cross through crowded threshold.

Girlfriend says a forceful

Hello

while leaning in to kiss him inches

from my face.

.irrelevant.

.uninterested.

.embarrassed.

I tuck head down.

enter my name&number

look up.return to him.

.I didn't mean

to get you

in trouble.

He gestures.

halfway through the second door.

Yea.well

thanks -

I'll let you know.

turning now to follow females' ascent.

.and.

SCENE

.discordant cacophony.

.the music is over.

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